CRESTVIEW — A new group of people is ready to help Crestview’s businesses following the conclusion of Richbourg E.S.E. School’s on-the-job training program.
Students this school year learned the ropes at Blonde Bellagio, the Crestview Public Library, Exodos Ministries Thrift Store, The Flower Basket, Goodwill Industries, Publix, Subway-North Ferdon Boulevard, Subway, Wal-Mart, Uncle Bill’s Family Restaurant, Wal-Mart Supercenter, and White Sands Embroidery and Tanning.
See photos of Richbourg E.S.E. School students at participating businesses>>
“The program is designed to help special-needs students get actual on-the-job training they need to become gainfully employed,” program coordinator Cindy Brunson said. “The businesses invest time and training into these students so that they will gain experience to help them get a job."
For Exodos Ministries Thrift Store owner Tom Crowson, having students Karl Aune and Kaitlyn Potts work at his nonprofit was more than helpful. “It’s been a pleasure to have the Richbourg kids to work with us,” he said. “It’s rewarding for the kids to work here and it’s rewarding for us to have them here.”
Crowson was a school teacher for 18 years before going into the ministry. Having taught students with various disabilities, he said he understands the program's value. “These kids need functional skills; they need to learn how to go to work, and there’s opportunities in the area for everybody."
While some students remain and work at the establishments in which they trained, now that they have employable skills, other students are hired by different businesses, Brunson said.
Students in the program are supervised by Richbourg educators while on their jobs, “and taught standards of excellence on-site,” Brunson said. In the classroom, they learn respect for colleagues, supervisors and customers.
Crowson says that instruction is evident.
“The kids who come here have always been respectful and done a great job,” he said. “I hope that we can continue to have this connection with Richbourg. It’s a good program.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: On-the-job training prepares Crestview special needs students for working world (PHOTOS)